The Call for Leaders in this Generation

Graduation season always brings the joys of the opportunity to once again sleep after many sleep deprived nights studying. In addition to rest, meeting the goal in receiving a degree brings a sense of accomplishment and completion. I had the opportunity to personally enjoy this graduation season with my sister who received her undergraduate degree. The UT-Austin McCombs School of Business commencement speaker, George E. Seay III, spoke on fourteen items of advice that he felt students needed to glean as they move forward in life. Some of the highlights in his speech related to perseverance, humility, and character.

At Regent University's graduation, the commencement speaker, Dan Cathy, encouraged the students to rise to the occasion for leadership. We live in a world in desperate need of leaders who maintain morally sound character expressed in decisions made with integrity and courage. Mr. Robertson expressed the key components to moving forward in the next season:

"Don't hesitate on your dream. . . . Don't cut your dream short. The only way to short circuit your dream is up here in your mind."

"There's nothing impossible with God. . . . Nothing is impossible with God."

Providing personal reaction to their respective graduation experiences, the following recent graduates relay their thoughts:

Elaina Bell, BBA with a major in Corporate Finance, minor in Rhetoric and Writing--University of Texas at Austin: The 2011 University of Texas at Austin Commencement ceremony was an inspiring and uplifting event that honored over 7,000 graduates this past Saturday in Austin, Texas. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of accomplishment and future destiny; and students, faculty, friends, and family alike celebrated educational achievements and envisioned future and greater endeavors with a wholesome pride as grand as the Texas sky.

Personally, the event solidified my undergraduate experience, giving a sense of completion to a journey that I began three years ago when I stepped onto the UT-Austin campus as a young sophomore student. Saturday evening, however, as I gazed up at the Tower bathed in burnt-orange with the number 11 shining through it windows, I realized to a greater extent that God places dreams and desires in our hearts to pull us forward to greater and greater heights on this journey called life.

At the close of one accomplishment, He has another dream waiting for us to fulfill—a dream that stirs within us with a fire that cannot be quenched until we take hold of our destiny and climb ever higher. Go forth Class of 2011, seize your new dream, take hold of your destiny!

Jillian Loukinas, MA in Government with a concentration in American Government--Regent University: When Commissioning day arrived, I knew that my time at Regent was almost over. It was time to say goodbye to all my classmates. I enjoyed the Commissioning ceremony almost more than Commencement because it felt more personal with our faculty and staff looking on. As always, I loved hearing Dr. Robertson speak and even got a picture with him when I received an award. There were so many great moments that day, but I'm glad I got to share them with my friends. I'm excited and nervous about the next step in my journey. However, Regent has successfully prepared us to take that next step.

Jada D. Lewis, MA Government with a concentration in Public Administration--Regent University: As a graduate of RSG, I feel honored to be among the legacy of world class alumni who are changing the world through servant leadership and integrity. Einstein said that “the problems we face today can not be solved with the same level of thinking that created them.” The graduates of RSG are equipped to offer solutions to these challenges and change the face of politics through the integration of faith into society. Like Queen Esther in the Bible, I believe that the Lord is directing my steps and the other RSG graduates in positions of authority to influence decisions and make an impact to advance the Kingdom “ for such a time as this.”

Individuals do not have to possess a degree in order to provide leadership. They must, however, maintain the character and servant leadership to move forward in the vision and purpose to which God has called them to express. In understanding the value of leadership, the two following quotes relay two sound perspectives:

"A leader, once convinced of a particular course of action is the right one, must . . . be undaunted when the going gets tough." - Ronald Reagan

"If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself." ~ Dwight L. Moody

America has a culture rich in Judeo-Christian values that have provided the foundation for world class leaders. Do note lose hold of these values as you move forward in your calling. Congratulations graduates!